The students at St. Charles Catholic Elementary School have collected thousands of pine cones this year to support the Wild at Heart Animal Refuge Centre in Lively. The centre needs the pine cones to feed some of the smaller animals in the winter. These caring students collected these cones in the fall as a part of their Dearness Conservation “Direction” challenge (East Eagles, South Turtles, West Buffalos and North Bears). Students were asked to try to each bring in 1 closed pine cone, which would be 330 pine cones for the Centre. The response was overwhelming as some students brought in hundreds of cones each! “What a great response by our students,” stated Laura Stirrett, vice principal of the school. “The virtue of the month for January is responsibility – and we are so proud of our students for recognizing that is all of our responsibility to take care of the earth and all of its inhabitants!”
Category: Programs
St. Anne Angelic Voices Reach Out
The St. Anne Catholic School Junior Choir had an opportunity to experience firsthand the true meaning of Christmas. On Wednesday, December 12th, 2012, the choir performed a selection of Christmas carols for the residents of the Elizabeth Centre in Val Caron. Choir member Bailey Gervais said, “I was happy to help out, and it was a lot of fun too!”
Afterward the children were able to distribute candy canes and warm wishes to all in attendance. The smiles throughout the room spoke volumes. Choir member Zoe Duhaime said, “I liked bringing joy to people who don’t have a chance to go out too much at Christmas.”
The choir members demonstrated the Catholic virtue of patience that is currently being celebrated at the school.
The Gift of Giving at St. David
This year, in the true spirit of Christmas, teacher Caroline Mansourian’s Grade 7 students at St. David Catholic School dedicated themselves to purchasing gifts for young, needy children to be donated to “Salvation Army” in Sudbury. The students devoted their time and gifts to their class philanthropic project to compassionately serve their fellow Sudburians and learned much in the practice of generosity. “The students have come to value the importance of community service, and through this project of giving to those less fortunate than themselves, they have gained an understanding about providing positive support for one another and an elevated sense of human compassion,” explained Miss Mansourian.
Gifts of Hope are Real Gifts for Real Projects that Change Real Lives
Mrs. Roque’s Gr.2/3 class, at St. John Catholic Elementary School, have been discussing how fortunate they are to live iin a country like Canada, where they have a home, warm clothes, clean water and healthy food, while others in the world suffer. They have decided to set a goal for themselves for Christmas. They collected enough money to purchase a goat and 2 pigs for $165.00, for a family in a developing country.
A goat provides milk for a family: protein, nourishment and health. This gift also provides the possibility of a livelihood, which means an income and the ability to make choices about the future for parents and their children.
St. James Students Help Grinch’s Heart Grow
St. James students are helping to make the Grinch’s heart grow when they are “Caught Doing Something Good”. The following is a poem that was created by teacher Sabrina Rocca and her students. Not only are students having fun watching the Grinch’s heart grow bigger through acts of kindness, but also having fun with Literacy!
At St. James School Christmas Spirit is understood,
as Students are Caught Being Good!
At St. James Catholic School,
Students are all very cool.
To enhance Christmas Spirit,
We need the entire school to feel it.
We are helping the Grinch’s heart grow,
because it used to be as cold as snow.
When students are caught being good
The Christmas spirit is well understood
Inaugural Cubs and Bears Junior Co-ed Volleyball Tournament
On December 9th, Holy Cross Catholic Elementary School held its first Junior Coed Volleyball Tournament. This tournament was run in collaboration with St. Benedict Catholic Secondary School.
Newly dubbed the “Cubs and Bears Junior Co-ed Volleyball Tournament”, there was a total of 15 teams entered with a round robin in three pools with the top 2 teams in each pool advancing to the finals (also included the top two 3rd place teams advancing as well to the quarter finals).
The results are as follows: Gold medal winners Holy Cross 2 coach Mr. Gallien.
Silver medallist St. James A team coach Mr. Lariviere
Bronze medallist St. Anne B team coaches: Mrs. Mazerolle and
Mr. Merigioli
Fourth place finalist St. Paul coaches: Mrs. Valiquette and Stacey Vendramin
This was history in the making as it is the first year of existence for Holy Cross Catholic Elementary School and were able to have four teams entered in this tournament. This is the first of many types of tournaments that will run as a joint effort.
St. James Students Demonstrate the True Meaning of Christmas
The Fantastic Fours and Terrific 4/5’s at St. James Catholic Elementary School got into the Christmas spirit early by packing gift boxes for Operation Christmas Child. Families went out and purchased items such as: hygiene products, clothing, toys, and school supplies. When all was said and done, the two classes filled 47 boxes. Inside each box was a letter of hope to the child that will be receiving the gifts. The St. James staff is very thankful for the generosity and support of the students and their families. Together they showed the true meaning of Christmas – how it is better to give than to receive!
“Our Dreams Matter Too” to St. James Students
St. James Catholic Elementary School was recently recognized for its participation in “Our Dreams Matter Too” – a walk for culturally based equity for First Nation children. The walk is organized to say now is the time for First Nation and non- Aboriginal children to work together to ensure all children in Canada receive equitable, culturally based services that help them succeed and feel proud of who they are. The project began as a result of the school’s vice principal, Dan Stargratt introducing the Grade 7/8 FI class to “Shannen’s Dream” which is a student and youth focused campaign designed to raise awareness about inequitable funding for First Nations children, and encourages supporters to write letters to their Member of Parliament, to the Minister of Aboriginal Affairs and Northern Development Canada, and to the Prime Minister of Canada. The students then brainstormed and came up with the idea of getting involved with the “Our Dreams Matter Too” initiative by having all Grade 4- 8 students at St. James write letters to the Prime Minister to look at federal school funding. This past June, the St. James students presented their letters to Member of Parliament Glenn Thibeault to bring to Ottawa. This past October, the students were sent a certificate of appreciation from the First Nations Child and Family Caring Society of Canada for their participation in the initiative. The students are Chris White, Katrina Cayen and Enara Iturregui.
Celebrating the Feast of St. Andrew
November 30th was the feast day of St. Andrew. Father Sam from our community parish of St. Andrew the Apostle invited all the staff and children to a feast day celebration. Everyone celebrated the Eucharist together at 11am and then Father hosted a pizza and juice party in the church hall. The Catholic School Council provided delicious cupcakes for dessert.
Father spoke to the children about St. Andrew. His name is Greek meaning “strength” and Andrew spent most of his ministry in Greece spreading the lessons Jesus taught him. St. Andrew was the brother of St. Peter who was the frist pope in Rome. St. Andrew is remembered as the first leader of the Greek Church.
At the conclusion of the Eucharistic celebration the children, teachers and parents joined in singing “Happy Feast Day to You.”